A Day on a Middle Colony Farm — Reading Comprehension

Life on a Middle Colony farm was busy and full of hard work. Each family member had important jobs to do. At sunrise, the farmer and his children began their day by feeding the livestock. Cows, pigs, and chickens needed food and clean water every morning.

The mother and older daughters baked bread in the kitchen. They used flour made from wheat grown in the fields. The smell of fresh bread filled the farmhouse. Younger children gathered eggs and helped pick vegetables from the garden. Each person’s work helped the family stay strong and healthy.

After breakfast, the farmer walked out to the fields. The Middle Colonies had rich, dark soil. This soil was perfect for growing crops like wheat, corn, and barley. The farmer used a wooden plow, pulled by oxen, to turn the ground. He planted seeds in neat rows. If the weather was good, the crops would grow tall and strong. Rain and sunshine were both needed for a good harvest.

Neighbors often worked together. They helped each other build barns, plant crops, or bring in the harvest. This teamwork made the community stronger. When someone finished a big job, the family might invite neighbors for a meal. They shared stories and celebrated their hard work.

Children learned skills from their parents. Boys learned to plant and care for animals. Girls learned to cook, sew, and take care of the house. Both boys and girls learned to read and write at home or in a small schoolhouse. These skills helped them become helpful members of their community.

Life was not easy on the farm. Bad weather or insects could ruin crops. Sometimes, families had to fix broken fences or care for sick animals. Each problem needed a solution. The family worked together and did not give up. Their hard work and determination helped them survive.

By sunset, everyone was tired. They ate supper together and shared what happened that day. Families ended the day with hope for a better tomorrow.

Interesting Fact: Some Middle Colony farms grew so much wheat that the region was called the “breadbasket” of the colonies.

What was the first job each morning?

What crops grew in Middle Colonies?

Why did families work together?

How did neighbors help each other?

What made the soil special in Middle Colonies?

What happened if crops failed?

Middle Colony farms were called the breadbasket. True or false?

What does 'harvest' mean?